Container



H. R. sTUBss July 5, 1932.

CONTAINER Filed June 12. 1929 2 sheets-sheet 1 i522 ummm 8 llll H. R. STUBBS .Fuy 5, 1932.

CONTAINER lFiled June 12. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 lil) Patented July 5, 1932 UNITEDs .STATES HERBERT R.

COMPANY, INC., OF

STUBBS, OF BALTIMORE, EARYIIAND,

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A,

ASSIGNOR T0 THE LAFAYETTE CORPORATION OF MARYLAND CONTAINER This invention relates to improvements in containers, and more particularly' relates to a container formed by cutting, scoring and folding a sheet of fiber material.

One of the features of the present invention is the provision of a container of this type which is formed from a blank of originally square form having scoring lines thereon extending diagonally across the face of the blank whereby to define the bottom, sides and top members of the container, in addition to reinforcing flaps which stiften and close the container at its vertical edges.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a container of this type which may be made of cellular corrugated material in which the cells of the corrugations exten parallel to edges of the original blank, and the scoring lines are extended at angles o 450 to the direction of the cells ofthe corrugations, sok that the cells extend in the {inislied container diagonally across the bottom, sides and top, and traverse 'the edges therebetween to give these edges substantially a uniform strength per unit of length, and in which the top of the. container is formed by flaps joined integrally by such edges to the adjacent side walls, and in which the flaps forming the top are stiened and supported in closed position by the respective conformation of other portions of these side walls and of the' otherA flaps.

Still another featureof the invention is the provision of a container having overlapping corner members whereby a stiened and closed vertical edge for the container is produced, and in which the rough exposed edges of these corner members are modified so that a substantially smooth surface is produced.

With these and other objects in view as will apn ..r in the course of the following specification and claims, an illustrative form of theinvention is shown on the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a container blank which has been cut -and scored in the manner' according to the; present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the. parts of the container in semi-folded condi,

. tively,

Application led June 12, 1929. Serial No. 870,366.

tion, to illustrate their relative engagement one with another.

Fig. 3 is a corresponding perspective view with the box in its initial assembly condition, but with the top flaps still unfastened.

Fig. 4 is atop plan View of the container, showing the relationship of the top flaps when in closed condition.

Fio's. 5 and 5a respectively show the method of modifying the margins of the blanks at certain points whereby to provide smooth exposed edges on overlapping parts.

ig. 5b is a view corresponding to Fig. 5, with the outer Hap member fastened down. 4

Accordin to the present invention, a

square blan preferably'of corrugated mated rial having its cells extending parallel to two of the edges of such blank, is formed by cutf ting and scoring operations so that it provides a rectangular bottom having side' and end walls joined integrally thereto at the four scoring lines defining this bottom, and in which these side and end walls in turn are joined integrally to cover llaps by scoring lines extending parallel to the first said scoring lines defining the bottom itself. The portions of the square blank existing in the angles between adjacent side and end walls are formed to constitute corner tabs which in the assembled condition of the container will overlap the end and side walls, respecto stifien and close the container at the vertical corner edges. The cover flaps are cut away as necessary so that opposite flaps lie in the same respective plane, while adjacent flaps overlap one ,another '.nd may be secured together for closing the container.

As a further preference, where the corner tabs give rise to rough exposed external edges these edges may be beveled or reduced in thickness whereby a smooth junction and smooth surface is provlded at such portions A of the container, so that the rough edges are concealed and a substantially smooth sliding surface is presented: similar beveling is likewise preferentially employed on the exposed edges of the cover flaps themselves, andfor the rough lexposed internal edges of the container.

It will lie-understood in the following description that the ends and sides are referred to in the sense of respectively being opposite Walls of the finished container, and that in general these walls may be interchanged, although they are illustrated in the present example in the sense that the side walls are of greater horizontal dimension than the end walls: and pit will be noted that in the par-,

ticular illustration the end tabs are folded inside cf the sidewalls and the side tabs outside of the end Walls.

Referring to the drawings, the square blank indicated in Fig. 1 is preferably of corrugated material having the cells of the corrugations extending parallel to two of theedges, being illustrated as parallel to the vertical edges in Fig. l1. The blank is shaped by scoring and cutting linesextending at 45 to the direction of these cells, and likewise to the edges of the blank itself. The scoring lines L30, L31, L32, L33 define a rectangular bottom'B joined integrally across these scoring lines tothe. respective sides S1, S2, and ends El, '"2. llt will be noted that'the sides are illustrated as being longer than the ends, although this is not essential to the practicing of the present invention, but is shown by way of example as illustrating the applicability of the invention to the preparation of an oblong rectangular container. Similar scoring lines L34, L35, L36, L37- extend parallel, respectively, to the first-mentioned scoring lines in pairs, therewith to define the upper edges ofthe side and end walls so that the sides and ends are each rectangular. Further, these scoring lines L34, L35, L36, L37, respectively, form edges or corner flaps SFl, SF2, EF1, EF2, which respectively are joined integral to the adjacent side or end walls. It will particularly be noted that the corners of the end and side walls do not extend to the boundary lines of 'the blank, and that the scoring lines L30, L35, for example, are extended by cuts which define a notch NS11 and that similar notchesNS21, NE21, NE12, NS22, NS12, NE12 and NE11 are formed each adjacent to one of the cover flaps SFl, SF2 or EF1, EF2.

The extension of the scoring line L30 between the scoring lines L31, L35 forms a line of integral junction between the side Walls S1 and a side tab STll, this tab being bounded in part by one edge ofthe notch NS11, in part by the edge of the original blank, and in part by a gash G11 which is formed at a right angle to the adjacent edge of the original blank. A further notch N11 at the outer end of the gash G11 may be cut away if preferred, or if necessary to prevent overlapping of the side or end. tabs during assembly and closing. Similar side tabs S'I`21, ST22 and ST12 are provided, havino` respective sides formed by the gashes G21, .x22 and G12, with the provision of notches N21, vN22 and N12, if necessary, to prevent overlapping of the side tabs when the box is folded. The

assenso integrally joined to the respective cnd walls.

rlhe opposite cover flapsSFl, SF2 and' EF1, EF2 are intended to lie in respective planes in the completed and closed container, and for this purpose lthe corners of the blank may be cut away as shown at T1, T2 and D1 and D2 to prevent` overlapping of these cerners when the container is closed.

It is preferred to bevel the edges of the surface of the blank which is to be directed toward the inside of the completed container, as represented by the hatchings Hl, K1, H2, K2, so that the inner surface 10 of the corrugated material and 'portions of the cells 11 are cut away as shown in Figs. 5 and 5a, while the outer surface 12 is left complete. Likewisefthe other, i. e., the outer, surface of Ithe blank in the completed container may be cut away on a similar bevel as indicated at P1, P2 whereby the relatively outwardly directed surfaces of the end tabs which are to be engaged with the side walls have overhanging margins.

The blank ythus formed is folded. in the manner indicated in Fig. 2 by bending the end tabs ETll, ET12, E'l`21, ET22 inward and bringing the side walls S1, S2 against these tabs, and securing these parts together as by cementing. During the cementing and holding, the overhanging margins of these end tabs are forced down into engagement with the side walls, so that a smooth gradual transition is provided from the end tao .surface to the side wall surface within the container, as illustrated in Fig. 56.

Likewise, the side tabs ST11, S'l12, ST21, ST22 are folded around and cemented to the end walls E1, E2 'so that a container is provided as shown in Fig. 3,

Likewise, in pressing the side tabs Sll11, S'll`12, ST21. S'l`22 against the end walls during cementing, the overhanging margins where the beveling illust-rated at K1, K2 has been accomplished are bent d own so that the margin of the outer surface 12 of the material forms a smooth gradual transition from the outer planes of these end tabs to the outer planes of the end walls E1, E2.

The boundaries of the inwardly folded end tabs E'lll. ET12, E'll`21, and ET22' which partly outline the respective notches NE1L NE12, NE21, NE22 of the blank are thus brought into a horizontal position such that they form supports for the end flaps EF1, BF2, when the latter are folded down thereupon, and prevent these end flaps from being forced inwardly into the container by pressure from the exterior. With this end in view, it is preferred to space the lines L30- L34, and L32-L37 a less distance apart than the lines L31L35 and L33-L37 by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the material. employed, so that the end 'thereof will lie along the upper edges of the sides S1, S2 as defined by the scoring lines L35, L37, so that the side cover iiaps SFl, SF2

may now be folded over flat down upon the end cover iaps EF1, EF2. In theparticular illustration, it will be noted that the shape of the bottom, ends and sides is such that the corners D1, D2 are cutaway and abut against one another at the center of the box (Fig. 4). f

In the` form of blank illustrated in detail in Fig. 2, it will be noted that the scoring lines L and L32 extend between the lines L and L37 as a single scoring line whereby the bottom and side walls are of uniform length: while the cutting lines in extension of the lines L30, L32 are offset slightly therefrom by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the fiber material employed, so that the -side cover flaps SFl, SF2 overlap the end walls El, E2 when the container is closed.

Similarly, the scoring lines L31, L33 for the bottom are continued at a slight oset to form the end walls El, E2, so that the end walls are of lesser width than the width of the bottom by a distance substantially equal at each vertical edge to the thickness of the material employed, so that when the end tabs ETll, ET12, ET21, ET22 are folded in, they lie flat against the respective side walls S1, S2. In order further to stiifen the container when closed, the end cover` aps EF1, EF2 are preferably formed of the same width as the bottom. so that the edges of these end cover flaps forming the notches NE1L NE12, NE21, NE22 will be received closely against the side walls S1, S2, and therewith stiften these walls. It will particularly be noted that in the closed container, the cover flaps EF1, EF2 at these edges rest upon the end tabs ET11, ET12, ET21. ET22 so that these cover flaps are prevented from being forced into the container, and that when the side cover flaps SFl, SF2 are brought down thereupon the cover flaps are held immovably in position at these points by the clamping between the said end tabs and the said side cover flaps, thus resulting in a very strong and rigid container when closed.

It will be noted that the overlapping of the several tabs stiffens and reinforces the corners and provides practically an air-tight -closure along the corner edge and even at the bottom thereof. Likewise, the edges of the corner Hans whch constitute boundaries of the notches NEU, NSM, etc. overlie one another and the corresponding portions of the respective adjacent tabs ETH., STll, so that when the cover flaps are cemented together, the container is sti'ened at the upper corners as well.

The formed containervas shown in Fig. .3 may then be lled with a material to be wrapped, and the container passed through a closing machine of the usual type, so that the end cover flaps EF1,A EF2 are folded down into their intended position, coated externally with the cement, and then the side cover flaps SFl, SF2 pressed down upon them and held until the cement has set. In bringing the side cover flaps SFl, SF2 down.

into position, it is preferred to force down the overhanging edges formed by the cut-away portions H1, H2 so that here also a smooth transition is lprovided from the plane of the end flap surfaces to the plane of the side flap surfaces. The side flaps SFl, SF2 are joined along a central line of the container by abutment of the edges C1, C2, which edges may be protected by a strip of tape M in the cus- Y tom'ary manner if desired.

lVhile the blank has been illustrated as made of corrugated material forlightness and strength, it may obviously be made of any other material suitable for the manufacture of containers of this category.

The expressions horizontal and vertical as usedherein refer tothe respective directions when the container` is resting on its bottom, i. e., in the normal position for filling and closing.

lt is obvious that the invention is not limited tothe illustrated form of construction shown and described but that it may be varied in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: i

1. A container formed from an originally square blank having diagonal parallel score lines at right angles to' one another to define a rectangular bottom, side and end walls for the container, each of said side and end Walls 'having a cover flap connected therewith at a score line, said side and end walls also having end tabs connected therewith at score lines and arranged in overlapping relation with the adjacent walls and secured thereto, whereby to provide doubled thicknesses at the vertical edges of the container, the end cover flaps in the closed container extending inward in a single plane, the said cover flaps of the closed container extending inward in a second plane and overlapping said end cover flaps, said cover flaps being secured together to provide doubled thicknesses extending inwardly from the vertical edges whereby said'flaps mutually support one another and reinforce the side walls.

2. A container formed from an originally square blank, said blank having two sets of diagonal score lines extending thereacross at right angles to one another whereby to define rectangular bottom, side and end walls, the corners of the blank forming end and side cover iaps joined across scoring lines withA the adjacent side and end walls, the portions ofsaid blank between adjacent ends of end and side walls being out by gashes extending i at right angles to the, original blanks to the and being secured to the adjacent side and end walls whereby to stitlen and close the vertical edges of the container, said end tabs overlymg cover being provided with ledges extending parallel to the upper edges of the side walls to form supports for the end cover flaps when folded down to close the container. v

3. A container as in claim 2, in which the said ledges are located inside the container and spaced below the top line of the adjacent side liap by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the blank.

4. A container formed from an originally square blank of fiber material and having bottom, side, and end walls, integral end and side tabs joined to said walls and overlapping respectively the end and side walls at the vertical edges whereby to stii'en and close the vertical edges, the inner faces of the exposed edges of the side tabs bein cut away on a bevel and the cut faces eachieing held in contact with the adjacent surface of the end walls, whereby to provide a smooth transition from the surface of the side tabs to the surface of the end walls.

5. A container formed from an originally square blank and comprising bottom, side and end walls, said side and end walls being provided with side and end cover iiaps joined integrally thereto and adapted to be folded down into respective planes and to overla one another, the said bottom, side and en walls being located with their boundary edges diagonally disposed in the original blank, the corners of the blank providing the cover flaps so that the flaps have diagonally extending boundary edges in the closed container, the inner faces of said boundary edges being cut away on the bevel and each of the cut faces being held in contact with the adjacent surface of the underlying ap, whereby to provide a radual transition from the ap to the underlying cover 6. A container comprising bottom, side and end walls, side and end tabs, and side and end cover flaps joined integrallyto said side and end walls, said end tabsbeing adapted to be folded inside said side wallsand to provide ledges at the top upon which the end cover flaps may be folded down, said side tabs being adapted to be folded upon and secured to said end walls whereby to stiien the same and lto close the vertical edges of the container, said side cover iaps being adapted to be folded down upon said down-folded end cover flaps whereby to clamp said end cover flaps upon said ledges.

7 A container blank of thick fiber materialof originally square form, said blank having diagonally extending score lines arranged in two sets at mutual ri ht angles whereby to define the bottom, si e and end walls, and side and end tabs for the container," the lines in each set being parallel, the lines between bottom and sides being farther apart than the lines for the vertical walls of the ends by a distance substantially equal to twice the thickness of the material, and intended upper corners of said end and side walls being spaced from the edge of the sheet, said sheet being notched at its edges by lines of cutting forming boundaries for said side and end walls and tabs, said sheet having gashes extending inward at right angles to the adjacent edges of the blank to the corners lof the bottom whereby to separatevthe side and end tabs.

8. A container blank as in claim 7, in which the inner faces of said end tabs along the edges thereof formed by said gashes and by the edge of the'original sheet are cut away on a bevel whereby to leave the exposed outer surface thereof unimpaired.

9. A blank as in claim 7, in which the uper edges of the side and end walls are de-v nned by score lines and the area between said score lines and the adjacent corners of thel sheet furnishes material for cover flaps for the container, said notches bounding said cover flaps and said cover iaps being of greater dimension along said score lines than the corresponding dimension of the adjacent side or end wall.

l0. A container blank comprising a sheet of fiber material of originally square form. said blank having diagonally extending score lines arranged in two sets at mutual right angles whereby to deline a rectangular bottom, end walls of lesser width than said bottom by a double thickness of the material em' ployed, side walls of greater height than said end walls by the thicknessof the material employed, and cover naps of greater width than said end walls, and end tabs of the same height as said end walls and joined thereto and adapted to be folded inside the container and joined to said side walls whereby to provide ledges upon which the end cover naps may rest in the closed container.

In testimony whereof, l ailix my signature.

HERBERT R. STUBBS. 

